Diop, 21, who arrived in England as a £22million signing from Toulouse in the summer, has shone in his opening performances for the Hammers, even catching Mourinho’s eye during United’s 3-1 defeat at the London Stadium.

Mourinho made no secret of his desire to land a central defender ahead of the 2018/19 campaign but United’s board refused to pay over the odds for the likes of Toby Alderweireld and Harry Maguire.

After Diop’s impressive performance against United back in September, Mourinho took a swipe at the board by applauding West Ham’s scouts for finding ‘a monster who dominated in the duels’.

Foot Mercato then asked: ‘It is said that Manchester United would have an eye on you. Do you have a career plan already in mind?’

‘Not at all. I’m at West Ham right now. I take the most pleasure from this. I try to give the best possible performance,’ Diop replied.

On his move to the London Stadium, the Frenchman explained: ‘I think it was the right time to leave. West Ham is the club that wanted me the most, where there was the most affinity. The project interested me. That’s why I chose them.

There were other clubs that were interested. But in my head, it was West Ham. The choice was quickly made… For me, it’s a good thing.

‘I do not think you have to go through an intermediary club or anything like that. West Ham wanted me a lot. There is no reason why it does not work.’

Jose Mourinho is prepared to sell Eric Bailly (Picture: Getty)

Mourinho is already looking ahead to January and reports suggest he is willing to offload Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly to make room for a new defender.

Bailly has become a bit-part player for United since his £30m transfer back in 2016, while Rojo is yet to make a single appearance for the club this season.

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Tottenham’s Alderweireld remains firmly on Mourinho’s radar and Inter Milan star Milan Skriniar has also emerged as a target.

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